Willunga 102 Blind Spot Vineyard Grenache 2023
Clarence Hill Reserve Shiraz 2021
G 95
G 94
Whole berry ferment, basket pressed. Matured for 10 months, majority in stainless steel. Arching perfumes of lilac and bush rose. Bilberries and boysenberries with powdered cinnamon and nutmeg clouds. A donut shape threaded with a laser line of acidity and powerful but silt-like tannins. It is unique in its blue and black fruit spectrum and dances to its own beat. A touch of caraway and sesame on the finish. Intriguing to see how this will change with time, but for now it’s utterly delicious. Drink now–2030 Willunga 103 Blind Spot Vineyard Moritz Block Grenache 2023 G 95 Open ferment basket pressed and matured in 500L puncheons for 10 months. Two tone mulberries, raspberry coulis and smoked bonito. Kombu, winter pine and nigella seed. Fruit is deeply pigmented and inky with alluring hints of sandalwood and clove. Oak notes sit firmly behind what can only be called bedazzling fruit structure. Acidity is fine and elegant with gritty tannins that flow across the palate. It’s a journey of a wine that requires your full attention and time. Fascinating. Drink now–2030
Red bean, rooibos tea meets sweet cherries in syrup, blackberries and quince. There is espresso and chocolate caramels, nutmeg and cedar. There is a richness from oak spice that slips well into the heart of the wine without dulling the fruit weight. This has reaped the benefits of time but relaxing into its quite significant spice box. Many of folk seek out this alluring style and this has been matured beautifully. A thinker’s Shiraz. Drink now–2026 d’Arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 G 94 Cassis and kirsch, fig hearts and blackberry soothers. A twinge of electric acidity keeps this wine drinking quite fresh. There is a cabernet sauvignon leaf note unpinned by sappy skin tannins and old spice oak tones. Cedar, maple and cinnamon. No shying away from its grainy tannin base, this will continue to cellar well. Drink now–2030 Mr Riggs JFR Shiraz 2021 G 94 A core of bright red and ripe raspberries and mulberries. Soft liquorice encases the briary notes with sage and rosemary stem. A touch of cassis and white pepper. Silken in its tannins and laser focus acidity. Punchy and youthful, this still has a way to go in its career. Oak is significant but not a distraction, fruit is front and centre. An excellent value wine. Paxton Jones Block Shiraz 2021 G 94 This site shows a well of blackberries, prune plums and açaí. Crushed allspice, black peppercorn and bitter chocolate. Glossy oak tones take the stage with vanilla bean, cola and boot polish. It’s electrically charged and built for the long haul, a touch of salted liquorice and root beer too. Powerful wine but certainly holds its own. This will cellar well. Drink now–2030 Richard Hamilton Centurion Old Vine Shiraz 2020 G 94 We all need a silver lining and here it is nestled in McLaren Vale. After the challenges of the 2020 vintage across the country the resilience of these 1892-planted vines shows us hope in the midst of turmoil. Drink now–2030 Battle of Bosworth Chardonnay Chardonnay 2024 G 93 Lemon oil, white peach and nectarine. Sour cream pastries, nettle and frangipani flowers. Citrus and orchard fruit aromas are enticing and acidity thrills interlaced between vanilla icing oak elements. An oatmeal creaminess on the palate makes for a wholesome rounded almond tone. Plenty of value here and a modern style of fruit- forward Chardonnay. Drink now–2026
Wirra Wirra Bell Tower Touriga Tempranillo 2023
G 95
Black cherries, lilac and ripe blueberries. Prune skin, granite and potting soil. A slinky shape to the wine with carrying acidity, dusty tannins and a rounded feel to some carob spice. It’s the way the wine manoeuvres down the palate that’s memorable and befitting of warm spiced curries like Massaman. Immensely satisfying and
tangibly delicious. Drink now–2028 Wirra Wirra Whites Valley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
G 95
A cauldron of bubbling beetroot, blackberries and bay leaf. Açaí berry and lavender stalks. Star anise and clove. The richness of velvety tannins is tied by its fine acidity. This is only just beginning to hit its straps. Tailored by a restrained oak spice, this is smartly nipped and tucked in all the right places. A plushness of blue fruit in the middle palate. The coolness of this vintage shines here. A long way for this wine to go. Drink now–2034 Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2021 G 95 A basket of picked blueberries, blackberries and red cherries. A sarsaparilla core is wrapped by sweet oak tones, clove and vanilla bean. Fruit looks decidedly youthful and well kept. The swathe of fine tannins brings forth woodsy herbs like rosemary and purple basil. This maintains a richness balanced by its jaunty fresh fruit. It abounds with Blewitt Springs charm and will continue to evolve in the bottle. Drink now–2030
268
The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
South Australia 2024
269
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